A Manga Lover's Tokyo Travel Guide

July 1, 2019

Gr 4 Up-Authored and illustrated by a Singaporean artist who has lived and studied in both America and Japan, this manga-style volume is part Tokyo guidebook, part travel memoir. An outsider who is nevertheless very familiar with Japan, Neo relays practical tips (how to buy a subway card, hot springs etiquette) and advises readers on the best places to shop, where to find reasonably priced sushi, what's it's like to visit a butler café, and more. Though manga and anime fans may be the target audience, this volume has plenty to offer even those who have minimal knowledge of Japanese comics and have no immediate plans to visit Tokyo. Neo's vivid illustrations are expressive and engaging, and the text is straightforward and easy to digest. Whether readers are interested in pop culture attractions featuring Hello Kitty or shrines and temples, they'll appreciate this work. VERDICT Informative, appealing, and much more fun than your typical travel guide.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
In this affably illustrated guide, Neo offers very detailed tips on visiting Tokyo, getting around, finding the best restaurants and shops, and practicing courtesy. As the title suggests, the attractions and activities she recommends are ideal for otaku, or pop culture geeks, but there's more here than just the Ghibli Museum or One Piece Tower; she also offers tips on shopping for collectibles, taking a manga class from a working artist, and getting cosplay photos taken. There's advice for garden-variety Japan tourism, too, like etiquette for visiting temples and public baths, the best places to hike on and around Fujiyama, tax-free shopping, and what to expect at a sushi restaurant. Neo's full-color, manga-style artwork in the open, welcoming panels is a great vehicle for the information, covering everything from train lines and tickets to types of ramen and specific beauty products to seek out. Occasional glib asides about her less-than-ideal experiences are refreshingly frank. Readers interested in this particular sort of tourism will find an approachable and encouraging introduction in this graphic guide.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)